Grand Forks Public Schools Associate Superintendent of Elementary Education Jody Thompson has been named the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) 2019 Peacemaker Award recipient, recognized for his partnership in the Safer Tomorrows initiative to end violence in two generations.
Thompson provided instrumental leadership in CVIC’s efforts to develop a community plan to end childhood exposure to violence, serving on the Safer Tomorrows Governance Team from 2011-2016 and on the agency’s board of directors from 2012 – 2019.
CVIC tries to make us a better community whether that’s within the school system or working with local partners, Thompson said. “Anytime the public schools can be involved we want to be front and center. I gladly accept the award on behalf of the Grand Forks Public Schools and all the county schools involved in the Safer Tomorrows Road Map.”
“Jody was influential in CVIC’s successful efforts to implement prevention programs in schools throughout Grand Forks County,” said CVIC President/CEO Coiya Tompkins. He also paved the way for CVIC to begin delivering individual and group therapy to students in the Grand Forks area schools. “More kids are being reached with prevention education and healing services than ever before as a result of Jody’s efforts,” said Tompkins.
The award, which CVIC gives annually to a local citizen who demonstrates outstanding commitment to ending violence in Greater Grand Forks, was announced Thursday, Oct. 10 at CVIC’s Take Back the Night rally, an awareness event held as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
